Civil War: Company C, 1st Battalion, Native California Cavalry

Donaciano Miguel Pico y Valenzuela was born at Santa Bárbara, Alta California, México, in late November 1841 and baptized by Fr. Narciso Durán at the Presidio Chapel November 28, 1841 (BP Baptism 01469, ECPP). He was the son of Juan de Mata Pico y Sinova (Feb. 8, 1816; BP Baptism 00483, ECPP) and Guillerma Juana Valenzuela y Fernández (bap. June 25, 1819; SI Baptism 01103, ECPP). Miguel and his parents became U.S. citizens with the transfer of sovereignty in 1848. Miguel appears as a resident at Santa Barbara in the 1852 California State Census and 1860 U.S. Census. Miguel married María Margarita Valencia y López* at Santa Barbara November 6, 1863, officiant was Padre Jaime Villa (SB County Marriages). During the Civil War Miguel enlisted as a corporal at Santa Barbara July 25, 1864, and was mustered into Company C, 1st Battalion, Native California Cavalry. Corporal Pico was posted to Fort Mason, Arizona Territory. He returned to California with his company and was mustered out at the Presidio of San Francisco April 2, 1866 (Orton, 315). After the war Miguel returned to his family at Santa Barbara, where he remained for the rest of his life (1870, 1880 U.S. Census). After Miguel's death at Santa Barbara on January 20, 1890, he was buried in Cieneguitas Cemetery on January 21 (Burial 3889, pg 103). Margarita filed for a Civil War widow's pension at Santa Barbara August 29, 1891, and received application No. 473,507 and certificate No. 387,949 (Pension Application File, NARA).
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* María Margarita Valencia y López** (bap Feb 22, 1842-May 1, 1917; BP Baptism 01480, ECPP) was the daughter of Benito Valencia y Valenzuela (bap Apr 11, 1817-After 1880; SFR Baptism 02268, ECPP) and María Filomena López y Féliz (Aug 3, 1817-After 1880; BP Baptism 00516, ECPP), married January 31, 1841, (BP Marriage 00234, ECPP).

Children (all born at Santa Barbara):
- Silvano (Dec 12, 1864-Jul 4, 1908, Santa Barbara; married Josefa Valencia in 1898)
- María Antonia (1865-Before 1900, Santa Barbara)
- María de los Angeles (1866-Before 1900, Santa Barbara)
- Ezequiel (Feb 1869-Before 1880, Santa Barbara)
- Miguel Ezequiel (Sep 29, 1870-Jul 11, 1937, Santa Barbara; married Celestina "Sally" E. Romero y García in 1905)
- María Valvina Felipa (Nov 26, 1876-Jul 5, 1892, Santa Barbara)
- María de las Angustias (Mar 5, 1879-After 1900)
- María Jesús "Jessie" (Mar 1880-After 1900, Santa Barbara; married [Unknown] Romero about 1894)

Siblings (all born at Santa Barbara):
- Romalda Felipa (1838-1901; married Native Cavalry veteran José Arellanes y Sánchez)
- Native Cavalry veteran José Ramón de la Concepción (bap Dec 11, 1839; BP Baptism 01355, ECPP) married María del Refugio Lugo y ... (born 1852) December 25, 1869.
- María Juana (Apr 30, 1844, BP Baptism 01608, ECPP), married José Valentín de Altegracia Calderón (Feb 20, 1829, SD Baptism 06250, ECPP) at Santa Barbara January 28, 1863
- José Manuel Dionicio (Apr 7, 1846, BP Baptism 01731, ECPP)
- María de los Ángeles Bernardina (bap Nov 4, 1848; BP Baptism 01900, ECPP) married Native Cavalry veteran Narciso Alexandro Valencia y López** (bap May 12, 1844; BP Baptism 01609, ECPP) February 8, 1867.
- Francisca Delfina (Jan 29, 1851-After 1860)
- José Ambrosio (Dec 9, 1852-1943)

**Margarita and Narciso Valencia y López were siblings.
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For information on the Native Cavalry see: 1st Native California Cavalry.

(Alex Grzywacki, Dave Plimier, Terry Chaffee, and Steve contributed to this biography)